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Royal Thai Navy scrubs Pattaya clean
New ocean rescue center to be built at Bali High Point
Suspect in an old Pattaya murder case arrested in Northern Thailand
Minister of Interior and police raid local weight loss clinic
Police arrest 7-Hole Pub manage
District policeman charged with attempted murder and theft
Chambers of Commerce in the east pushing for U-tapao expansion Intend to present their plan to PM Thaksin Veerachai Somchart The chambers of commerce from nine provinces in the eastern region are pushing for the expansion of U-tapao Airport. Members of these chambers intend to present their expansion plan to the prime minister during his upcoming workshop on tourism. The new expansion plan calls for creating an international transport center at U-tapao Airport, although on a lesser scale than previous plans. Chamber members say that U-tapao is ideally located for convenient access to Cambodia, and creates a link with Phnom Penh to Maptaput and the rest of Chonburi. Chamber members also point out the close proximity to Laos. The U-tapao link could connect Savannakhet and other provinces in Laos to the transport center. U-tapao Airbase has 3,505 meters of runway and is currently equipped to handle international flights, and can easily be expanded into a larger operation. The airport already provides services to Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Seasang Flying, Orient Air Express, Cathay Pacific, Aeroflot, Malaysia Airlines, Atlanta Airlines, Kazak Airlines, All Nippon Airway, Domodedovo Airlines and Air Hong Kong. Other major businesses have also shown interest in reserving space, including Lufthansa, UBX, Daimler/Chrysler and Rolls Royce. Delta also showed interest in moving its base from Samut Prakan to U-tapao. In 1997, the Counsel of Ministers was eager to develop areas along the Eastern Seaboard. At that time, plans included 25 million baht to be set aside to research the possibility of turning U-tapao and the surrounding area into a combined production and transportation center along the lines of America’s Global TransPark in North Carolina. The idea was to turn U-tapao into a modern-day hub surrounded by technological advances in production. The concept included the availability of worldwide air-transportation, and a railway transport system linking Phnom Penh to the eastern region’s industrial center. Laem Chabang would provide the facility for sea transport. Last year the former chairman of the standing committee on tourism in the House of Representatives, Santsak Ngamphiches reportedly had an initial budget of 200 million baht earmarked for U-tapao expansion. However, U-tapao expansion was apparently sidetracked because plans continue for the building of Savannaphoumi International Airport. The Royal Thai Navy also maintains the view that U-tapao Airbase is of strategic value to the nation’s security. The Thaksin government and the Ministry of Industry have recently shown renewed interest, focusing on a combined investment plan to create an “Asia Transpark”, as opposed to the original idea of a Global Transpark. The Industrial Estates Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways would each hold a 30% interest, with the remaining 40% open to private investors. The Global Transpark idea was scaled down and replaced by the Asian Transpark model after the office of the National Economic and Social Development Board contracted experts from the Keenan Institute in North Carolina to assess what was needed to transform U-tapao into an international commercial air transport center. The initial assessment was in the realm of 40 billion baht to connect U-tapao with Europe and North America, but was later trimmed down to a much smaller figure of 1-1.2 billion. The Keenan Institute assessment, which was completed on July 15, also wrote that a 1-2 year period is still needed to complete the study. The Keenan Institute assessment was forwarded to Suwit Khunkitti, the prime minister’s deputy and chairman of the rural area and city planning commission. It was then submitted to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for consideration. Other studies pertaining to airfreight business and marketing plans, connecting U-tapao to the Asia network, and road improvements still need to be done. Military operations at the airbase also need to be kept separate from commercial use.
New mother elephant accidentally kicks her 4-day old baby Baby Lamyai seriously injured Chakrapong Akkaranant Lamyai, the female elephant born on August 3rd at Suan Chang located off Sukhumvit Road in Moo 12, Nong Prue received a mighty kick from her 15-year-old mother, Phang Anna just a few days after birth.
Veterinarians from the office of the Royal Palace were contacted to provide assistance in looking after the newborn elephant’s injuries, and to find out the reason for the mother’s peculiar actions. Veterinarian Alongkorn Mahanop and his assistant examined the 4-day-old elephant and applied disinfectants to the bruised area around the navel and hind legs. Injections were administered to prevent infection and provide nutrients. An ample supply of medication to cover a one-month period was also provided. Alongkorn said that it was normal for a mother elephant after giving birth for the first time to experience severe pain in and around the birth canal. Another elephant assists during birth and will even care for the newborn until the mother fully recovers and can nurse the baby. Alongkorn concluded that the mother simply had an unfortunate reflex and kicked out to protect herself when Lamyai surprised her while groping for her nipples in order to nurse. However, the baby’s weight is less than normal, and according to the veterinarian, Lamyai was born a week or so premature. Since the mother is not allowing the baby to receive enough of her milk, there is a concern for the newborn’s weight. The vet is also concerned the baby will not get enough of the natural antibodies which are passed on from mother to baby. Lamyai’s injuries will require close attention over the next month. If no infection occurs the vet feels the baby elephant will be fine.
U.S. Embassy Consular Officer visiting Pattaya today Consular associate Roderick Gonzalez and passport and citizenship specialist Yaowanee Pisuthipot from the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok are visiting Pattaya today, August 17. Their visit is providing the opportunity for Americans residing in the area to obtain a number of consular services without having to travel to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Pisuthipot will be providing services at the following times and location: * Friday, August 17, 2001 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Montien Pattaya Hotel, #369 Central Pattaya City, Second Rd., Pattaya, Chonburi. Tel: (038) 428-155-6. Below is a list of services that will be provided during this visit: * extra passport pages * passport applications (be advised, however, that new passports must be picked up at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok - they cannot be sent via mail) * notarials, including affidavits required by the Thai government for marriage, driver’s licenses and certain types of visas * registration with the U.S. Embassy * information on application procedures for Thai citizens seeking U.S. visas (note that visa applications must be submitted at the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok) Please note that U.S. law requires a $US55 (or Thai baht equivalent) fee for each notarial service provided. Passport applications cost $US 40-60. Please share this information with other Americans in your area. Should you have any questions, contact the American Citizen Services office at 02-205-4049, or via email at: [email protected] For additional information about the American Embassy in Thailand, please visit the website http://usa.or.th
Navy releases 30,000 fish into the sea Opens new park on base Boonlua Chatree Sattahip Naval Base Commander Rear Admiral Suthas Khayim presided over a ceremony opening Suan Naphirom Park on August 8th. To commemorate the occasion, three varieties of fish were released into coastal waters.
The new park was built by units assigned to the base. The facility will provide navy personnel and family members with a recreational area for exercise and fishing on 10 rai of land area. The new park supports the Royal Thai Navy’s policy of promoting sports and good health. The park is another vehicle used to insure Navy personnel maintain top physical conditioning. Personnel at the Sattahip Naval Base also raise a variety of fish, with an emphasis on preserving certain species. Approximately 30,000 fish were released into the ocean on the park’s opening day, followed by naval personnel participating in a long-distance run.
Minister of Industry tells electrical contractors that the government shares their concerns Chakrapong Akkaranant The Minister of Industry, Suriya Chungrungruengkit told electrical contractors that the central government is aware of their basic concerns. “Short, medium and long range plans are being prepared to lessen the burdens felt in the industry,” Suriya told them.
The Minister of Industry was in town to preside over the opening ceremony of the 17th Annual Seminar of the Thai Electrical Components and Contractors Association held on August 4th at the Pattaya Dusit Resort. The main theme of the seminar was that the government intends to promote Thailand’s electrical industry. Minister Suriya emphasized that the central government shares the concerns of contractors and acknowledges existing problems in the sector; therefore corrective plans are underway. The seminar also featured guest speakers lecturing on the “Future Direction of Thai Contractors Under the Thaksin Government”. The agenda for this year’s seminar focused on promoting electrical merchandise from Thailand to the world market. Various companies participated in the seminar and displayed their products.
City schools turn trash into cash Money donated to charity City schools in Pattaya are turning trash into cash - collecting recyclables and selling them to dealers. The money is then donated to charity.
The new activity is called the “Pha Pa Recycle” program, and refers to the custom of collecting funds in support of religious functions at Buddhist temples and constructing an imitation tree to which donations are attached. Instead of banknotes attached to the “Pha Pa Recycle” tree the recyclable items are attached. Students then contact trash dealers and negotiate fair prices in exchange for the recyclable items. The money is donated to local temples. The program promotes the 3-R principle of reduce, reuse and recycle. Similar to the recycling bank, students bring in recyclable waste from home. The “Pha Pa Recycle” program works in cooperation with city officials and school administrators who assist and coordinate trash dealers and temples in and around Pattaya. The National Environmental Commission designated Pattaya as a pollution control area in 1992. A booming tourist industry, plus the city’s rapid growth and expanding population made it difficult to keep up with environmental preservation concerns. Currently, Pattaya produces between 200-250 tons of refuse each day and the tonnage is expected to rise. Since the amount of trash will continue to increase, problems in both collection and proper disposal will undoubtedly add to the pollution problem. The recycle project in city schools will be an important factor in controlling pollution and protecting the environment. It will also increase the awareness of this problem that affects local communities everywhere. Recycling projects are integrated into primary and secondary grades and demonstrate the importance of effective waste management.
Updated every Friday Updated by
Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk. |
Songwutipong
Pradid was finally arrested 11 years after being paid to murder Suphoj (Sia
Hoi) Patanathanya.
Minister
of Interior Purachai Piumsombun led a group of top officials on a raid of
a Pattaya weight loss clinic.
Sgt.
Suthep Chantnoi (foreground), a Banglamung district police officer, stands
accused of robbery, attempted murder and threatening a person’s life
with a weapon.
Baby
Lamyai is trying to recover from an errant kick from her mother.
Sattahip
Naval Base Commander Rear Admiral Suthas Khayim began the release of 30,000
fish into coastal waters.
The
Minister of Industry, Suriya Chungrungruengkit told electrical contractors
that the central government shares their concerns.
Local
students are participating in the Pha Pa recycling project.